Silicone Makeup Sponge Review

Here it is.... the makeup tool that has been breaking the Internet: a silicone makeup 'sponge'. It's not really a sponge per se, as a sponge (technically) has absorption abilities; however, rather than calling this a 'breast implant-shaped squishy thing', I will refer to it as a 'sponge'.

I was a little hesitant to buy this, as I have heard both good and bad things about it, but I went ahead and took the plunge. Hopefully, this silicone makeup sponge review will help you to determine if you want to buy one for yourself, or stick with what you're already using to apply your foundation.

Size and Shape
First of all, I'm going to talk about the shape of this sponge. In my opinion, I found it a little awkward to hold. It isn't very ergonomic, and I flipped it around several times to try and find a comfortable way to hold it. I honestly never did find a 'comfortable' way to use it. The whole shape is just a bit odd to me.

Size-wise, I really can't complain. Measuring 2.5" long and 1.5" wide, I would say this sponge is pretty large.

Texture
I can't really describe how this thing feels. The best I can do is compare it to a gummy bear. It isn't really soft, but it isn't firm, either. The outer surface is smooth, with no lumps or grooves.

Odor
There is no noticeable odor.

Does it work?
I applied makeup to my arm in a much lighter color than I currently use so you can see it a bit better. On the left is makeup applied using the silicone sponge. On the right, a Beauty Blender. I used the same amount of foundation for each sponge. The foundation I used isn't quite a liquid, but it isn't a solid. It is like a thick cream.

Of course, the silicone sponge deposited ALL of the foundation onto my skin, as it is incapable of absorbing it. I tried just wiping it on, and this left terrible streaks. It seems like a 'patting' motion is best, as that gave the smoothest finish. I was still not too thrilled with the end look, as it is splotchy and uneven. I tried the silicone sponge on my face using half the amount of foundation I usually use, and it seemed to work just a tiny bit better than it did on my arm.

It took a LOT of effort to get the foundation applied smoothly in the crevices of my nose, and it was also a bit tricky around my eyes. Overall, I wasn't very happy with the finished look.

Cleaning
One of the good things about this tool is how easy it is to clean. Simply apply a drop or two of makeup remover, rinse it under warm water, and it's done. No drying time, and no worry of germs or mold growing in it.

Verdict
Would I use this in place of my Beauty Blender? Probably not. One of the main reasons why is (for me) it was almost impossible to get a flawless finish. It may work differently for someone using a liquid foundation, but for someone like me who uses heavier coverage, it may not be your best bet.

The sponge itself is pretty durable, but if you cut or rip it, you need to throw it away as bacteria can set up.

As far as applying and blending out concealer, bronzer, or contour, this item just doesn't cut it. I know the advertisements claim that it can be used in such a fashion, but it just doesn't work for me.

It took me twice as long to apply my foundation with this, as I had to work to get it to blend, so time-wise, it's not worth it to me. The price isn't bad at all, so if you want to go ahead and grab one to give it a try, go ahead. Like I said above, it may work better with a different type of foundation, but this won't have a permanent place on my vanity.